HUGE loading time and then: internal exception java.net.socketexception connection reset

All of a sudden I get the following:

a. increased server connection time perhaps well over one minute

b. HUGE loading terrain screen waiting time (well over 30 seconds)

c. Usually I appear falling in the void (some times the sky loads. VERY RARELY the game loads but I cannot interact with anything / anyone)

d. after a while I get a internal exception java.net.socketexception connection reset

e. I have tried EVERYTHING mentioned in Mojang help forum including these: https://bugs.mojang.com/browse/MC-227913?focusedCommentId=1165785&page=com.atlassian.jira.plugin.system.issuetabpanels%3Acomment-tabpanel#comment-1165785

f. This is NOT a new message for me. What IS new is its persistence. Up until today I would simply quit / restart Minecraft and I'd manage to reconnect and play. Today I may have tried 30 times in vain.

 

Please help! Holidays are the only time of the year I get enough time to enjoy my favorite game. I would hate to miss that time!